Variable pressure system



T9434 w. H. JJORDAN 2,332,725

VARIABLE PRES SURE SYSTEM Filed March 18, 1941 v2 Sheets-Sheet 1 r H Jorciarg {His Gama/5s Oct. 26, 1943. w. H. JORDAN VARIABLE PRESSURE SYSTEM Filed March 18, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 OTA Y PUMP m M M U m w His MOW/M3 s Patented Oct. 26, 1943 D STAT 11S;

PM BENT OFFICE 2,332,725 v} y I VARIABLE PRESSURE SFESTEM 1 7 William H. Jordan, Kansas-CityQMd. Application March 18-, 1941-; Serial No? 384 023 8'Cl'aims. (01. 73-51):

Thisinvention relates to: variable pressuresys terns and' more particularly: to i syste'ms iby which the pressure of a gas, such as airymay" be varied continuously and accurately" to effect 7 any pressureas -desi'red through a range from'a: pressure far b'elbw that 'of 'atmospheric:pressure to a pres sure more than twice that v of atmospheric pressure: The'invention is applicable to many uses, and is herein shown and described as embodied.

in' a portable assembly or kit fcr the testing of 10:

air-plane inst'ruments while" they are pla'ce ih theinst'rument panel of the airplane;-

Asa matterofconvenience, an'd'in a'ccord with common-practicepthe amount ofreduction. of v pressure below atmospheric pressure will be referred to a's-*-suction; while the amount of pres sureabove-atmospheric pressure will be referred: to as-="pressure;" both being measured in inches of'mer'cur-y;v That'is -to say; a" pressure of ten" in'ches means a pressure of'ten inches of mer- 0" cury above that of atmospheric pressure; and if the at'mospheric pressure is normal inches ofmercury; as measured by a barometer) a pres= sure-of ten inches meanssan absolute pressure of inches of mercury which would 'corre'spon'd=- t'o approximately 20 pounds to the square inch; Similarly; a: suctionof 10 inches would I corre-- spond to an absolute pressure 'of 20"- inchesof" mercury or about lo' pounds to th'e-square'=inch.

Gne of the* principal objects of the inventionis= 30" to pr'ovide a combined gaseous pressure andisu tion system whi'ch" cant be readily controlled to supply any desired'pressure or-"suction of a: continuous series of values" from a suction of" over" twenty-'- inches of mercury to aim-pressure of over 5' thirty inches of mercury:

A further object of the invention-isto-provide" a portable kit 3 comprising: such a' variable" pres sure" systemand" suitable indicating and" con trolling devicesand connections} bywhichinst'ru 4d ments such as' *the= various instruments and gauges *installed 1 upon 1 an" airplane m'ay 'be" safely" and' accurately'tested;

Further obj ects of the invention *are' tofprovide' sucha vari-able pressure systemwhich is o'f simpl e" and du-rable construction and which" can 58"800'. nomically manufactured; a system which" will maintain steadily'thepressure or'suction to which it has= beenadjusted f j and a system which may safely'be used by relatively 'unsk'illdf operator s:

Still fiirther objects of 'the' inventionan'dnovel" features of construction and" operation". will be" understood from the following specification when" read in connection with the accompanyin'gfdraw ings'which illustrate "an "embodiment of the'inven 51isan enIarged view in elevation of the coreOfthelVall estructure shown'in'Figs. 3 and 4-;

Fig:- 6: is an? enlarged view'i'n longitudinal sec-' 'tion' of a1- restrictor' structure suitable to provide;

anadj ustable restriction to the flow in'the serviceilineL In eneral, the invention comprises a rotary pump andimoto'r unit; the'pressure side of' the I pump andthe suction sideof the pumpbeing connect'ed tcseparate ports infla valve which is so constructed-that; as the valveisoperated, the size' of the openihgs of the pressure side-and the suc-' tion side of? the pump t'o a. port connectedto'the' service line may be varied; one opening being: gradually" decreased as the other is increased; a

restrict'or being-- provided in theiser vice line, and a" nianuallyaoper'able' reducing-gear device being provided for minute and accurate control of i the valve. For use in testing airplane'instru-- mentswhile installed in the airplane the pump, motor; valve and suitable connections are in 'stalle-d in apor'tahle casing, along with standard counterparts "of the instruments or gauges which are to betested, and amaster ziiloifgauge which indicates thevalueof the pressure or suction in the -servi'ce -line-at anyinstant and when it is safe to"cohnect the-service line to any particular instrument; along with suitable means for connect irrg'the-servicelineat will to each such instrument. It will be understoodthat, after "estab lis'hing in the serviceline a pressure or suction *therange'that' may be safely applied to a given mstrumenti connections are made from the servi'ce*1ine'-'to that particular instrument on the testing kitfpanel and, after such further check of the fact thait thepres sure or suction may besafelyapplid; the service line-is also connected to the companion instrument on the'airplane and the readingsof the two instruments are compared while" the" pressure, or suction, is Varied slowly throughout the range of such instruments.

mime structure'shown in the 'drawings'a suit able casing orbox"| I, preferably'having ahinged" front cover i2 and a carrying handle I3, is provided to hold the various parts and act as a supknob 2i, preferably containing reducing gearing, I r

by which the control valve may be continuously adjusted in either direction, a distributing valve reducing-gear control means 2| is utilized, such control means 2! being connected to the stem 38 of the valve and being preferably of the type commonly used to control radio receiving-sets, reducing gears being housed in the knob and so constructed that twenty or more revolutions of the knob are necessary to effect a single rotation of the valve, The ports 21, 28, 3| and 34 are all in the same plane perpendicular to the axis of tire core 35, and the core is provided with an annular groove 39 in such plane except for webs '40 and M, each of which, as shown best in Fig.

3, is or such. circumferential extent as to be capable of closing the port 21 or the port 28, respectively, with which it cooperates, but which webs til and. are so positioned relative to each other and relative to the ports 21 and 28 that whenone portis fully closed the other is fully 22 by which the service line may be conveniently connected to any one of the instruments E5 to l9 as'desired, and preferably anelectric. switch 23 for controlling the pump-operating motor and a valved outlet 24 for the convenient connection of a flexible rubber tube, or the like, for any desired purpose for which such air pressure or 511C, tion may be usable. If a reduction gearing is desired, it has been found to be convenient to use 1 a control knob 25 and contained gearing such as those commonly used for controlling the tuning of radio sets.

As shown, the various instruments to IE! and the valved outlet 24 are provided, respectively, with the indicia I to V1, and corresponding indicia are provided for registry with 'a' pointer on the handle of distributing valve 22 to indicate the position in which the valve estab: lishes connection to each of such devices. It will be understood that characteristic colors or other corresponding indicia could be used to facilitate correct positioning of the distributing valve 22, instead of such Roman numerals.

The variable pressure system is shown ,dia

grammatically in Fig. 2, and comprises essentially an electric motor and rotary pump combination 25, preferably built as a single unit, a valve 26 having circular ports 21 and 28 connected, by conduits 29 and 30, to the, pressure side of the rotary pump and to the suction side of therotary pump, respectively, said valve also-having a port 3! connecting to a service line 32 in which there is a restrictor 33. i

The valve 26 is so constructed that either the pressure port21 or the suction port 28 may be fully connected to the service line port 3|: and

as either the pressure port 21 or the suction port 28 is gradually opened the other of'such ports will be gradually closed. The valve 26 is also preferably formed with a port 34 to atmosphere,

for connecting to atmosphere either the pressure port 21 or the suction port 23 after the valve has been moved to close such port and such motion of the valve is continued. a

' dentists or in hospitals where atomizers, suction;

The valve is preferably, as shownQof the nte valve type, comprising a body. having a frusto conical bore in which a plug or core 35 of generally frusto-conical shape is rotatablyfitted, being detachably held in seated position by a helical spring 36 and a plug 31 which is threadedin the'end ofthe valve body and by means of which the tension of the spring maybe adjusted. At its smaller end the core 35 is provided with a stem 38 by which the core may be rotated; Itis essential that means be provided by which the positionof the valve may be adjusted by infinitesimal increments, and for this purpose 'the open and in an intermediate position of the valve core iherestrictor 33 isso fine as to pass onlya both ports are substantially half opn. T

few cubic inches of air therethrough perminute at a difference inpressure of 20 inches of meri cur-y. Such restrictor is preferably so constructedv that its effective opening may be adjusted, and

in Fig. 6 there is shown a restrictor construction that has been found to be practical and effec:

tive. In this construction a tubular body 42 and 1 a cap 43 threaded thereon, with an intervening packing washer 44, are connected, respectively, to the conduits 32a and 32b which constitute parts of the service line 32. The tubular body;

22 is formed with a female thread 45 to receive a screw 46 having a male thread which differs slightly in pitch or cross-sectional shape-from that of the thread 45. As a consequence theair is forced to traverse a rather extended helical path about the screw 46, and the length of such path can be varied by rotation .of the'screw 46.

The rotary pump 25 may be of the triple vane rotor type andis preferably combined as aunit withan electric motor which preferably is of the universal type.

A practical sizeof such a 11 unit weighs about four pounds and willhandle;

approximately 1 cubic foot of airper minute and i will develop a suction of approximately 25 inches of mercury ora pressure of approximately 35.,

inches of mercury.

The, system described, comprising the rotary.

pump and motor unit 25, the valve'26 and itsreducing-gear controlling-means, and the neces-w I sary connections including-a; serviceline .32 and a restrictor 33 therein, is of greatutilitywherwever accurately-controlled and widely valuable. pressure and suction is needed, for instancebyi devices and the like are to be operated. For such installations it is usually advisable to connect to. the service line 32 a gauge 48 which will indicate.

the value of the pressure or suction existingat,

anyinstant. It. also is usually advisable, although notnecessary, to add a connection 49, having;a

valve 53, which communicateswith the pressure connection29, so that the full pressure and vol ume of air out being reduced by, or necessitating operation of, the valve 23.

In the specific embodiment herinbefore described but, include the-further connections from the service line 32 to. the. vari-,

ous standard instruments l5, I6, l1, l8 and IQ, as by means of the distributing valve 22 and its. con'n'ections to such instruments, and an, addi i from the pump may be utilizedwithherein disclosed. of an airplane-instrument testing kit-incorporating; this system, the connections of the parts are as nection-of theserviceline 32 has beenzmade to the corresponding: instrument-Mite; I BIiofthe test kit; The valved outlet? 24ion the; panel 'ofithe testing kitrmay. be: connected eithertosthe line 49. or-to thetestline 51; shown in.lF-'ig.j,2 That is: to .say, suchconnection may be-providedeither for: the convenient" use ofr the full pressuredeveloped by the pumporifor. the convenientvuse for; some additional ipurposeof'a;pressureaor: suction controlled by themasten valve Mir in response to-operation of-the-knob 21;

An altimeter, such as that shown at 1:5; is usually. provided with. a knob". 15a: .byw-hich the dial may be=rotated :andibe .thereby setitosai given basic altitude, and a manifold i pressureindicaton suchxas shown'zat- I1; is usually.- providediwith a similar'krlob l larby. which the-dial may be rotatedi to: set: the normal pressure point: inaccordance with the existing: barometric pressure The altimeter- I5 is: a. very; delicate aneroid barometer; the units-onthe one.=herein,shown indicating" thousands of: meters.- Thee range of such an; altimeter is from a. pressure of zero (atmospheric pressure) 1 to asuction of over: Iii-"inches of mercury, and itwillibe appreciatedrthat' such an: instrument? would: be injured and possibly rendered. worthless. if subjectedto any pressure; that". is, to a; pressure. materially exceeding at-- mosphericpressure. 1

Thexrate. off climb :indicator: i ii i'saoi' practically the same.- construction and. sensitivityas: the altimeter i5. but is provided. with. a; small" vent. through; which the; pressureagradually tends; to equalize; On the instrument" shown. the units correspondto thousands :of feet. per minute.

The "manifold: pressure: indicator-i. I :l: is:- marked to indicate absolute: pressures in inches or: mer cury, the normal point, at 30.5; corresponding::to normal atmospheric pressure. It will be appreciated that such amindicator normally is used to register the supercharger pressure.

The fuel pressure gauge 13, marked to indicate in units from 0 to corresponding to inches of mercury pressure on the fuel feed is not so sensitive as the altimeter or rate of climb indicator but should not be subjected to any material suction or to a pressure exceeding 14 or 15 inches of mercury.

The suction gauge or indicator It, usually marked to indicate in units from 0 to 10 corresponding to inches of mercury suction, has only a limited tolerance of pressure without injury, and should not be subjected to a pressure exceeding that of several inches of mercury or to a suction exceeding 14 or 15 inches of mercury.

The master pilot gauge 2!) is a combination suction and pressure gauge having a tolerance range from at least 28 inches of mercury suction to at least inches of mercury pressure. It has an indication of the range, as 52, from 0 to 15 inches of mercury suction, which may be safely applied to the altimeter I5 (I), an indication of the range, as 53, from a few inches of mercury pressure to a few inches of mercury suction, which may be safely applied to the rate of climb indicator H5 (II), an indication of the range, as 54%, from 20 inches of mercury suction to 20 inches of mercury pressure which may be safely applied to the manifold gauge ll (III), an indication of the range, as 55, from slightly below 0 to 10 inches-of mercury pressurexwhichmaybeasafelit applied; t0. the pressure. gauge I81. (IV) and. an indication ofatheirange; asjit; fromslightlyabout (11170.11!) inches; of? mercury suction. which: may: be. safelyrappliedgt the-suction gauge I92 (V). .As suggested: heretofore; instead of; theuseof the Roman: numerals I-to; v to associate each in.- strument with its; corresponding range on the master pilot gaugeiil and with that: positionof valve -Z2wwhich establishes connection to-suchinstrument; other suitably. corresponding; indicia; suchrassithe letters :Alto E. orzspots of variouscorrespondingcolors coulcbbe used.

Thekitas a; whole is; of light-weight audit will be: appreciated that the leadin; wires, for establishing power connection; to; theppiunp-operating mDIOLQaSAWBH as-tharubbertube or thelike; which comprises; the testuline 51, may be; convenientlyrstored in the opening atthebase of; thepanel M; y

The; system. as; a whole: will furnish a, steady; pressure; or suction of any: desired value between. the specified-g limits; and. throughout such range of pressuretheirate ,of change of' the pressure by. the; master control: valveis substantially uniform;..thatnis to. say, an. angular. movement of thereducing; gear: control knob 21'! through a. given are will? effect a. substantiallyequalchange ofpressure at any point; throughout: .the. range of: pressure or. suction values.

WhataIclaimis: I

1 A gaseouspressure and suction system, comprisings'a rotary pump having an inlet and an" both: of said pressure-control ports and inereasing the opening of one ofsaidpressure-control ports as the opening of; the other-of said pres-- surecontrol iports is: decreased.

. 2; A igaseous-pressure and suction-sy'stem com-- prising a pump having 'a pressure side' and a suction side, means for rotating said pump, a service line, valve means simultaneously connecting said pressure side and said suction side to said service line through restricting ports, said means being effective to increase the area of the port from the pump pressure side as the area of the port from the pump suction side is decreased and viceversa, andmeans for manually controlling said valve means.

3. A gaseous pressure and suction system, comprising a rotary pump having an inlet and an outlet, means for rotating said pump, a service line, a rotary valve having a port connected to said service line and pressure-control ports connected to said service line port and also connected, respectively, to the inlet and to the outlet of said pump and effective upon continuous said service line through restricting ports, said.

means being effective upon operation in one direction to continuously and simultaneously increase the area of one of said ports'and decrease the area of the other of said ports and, upon continued operation after one of said ports has been disconnected from said service line, to connect said port to atmosphere while maintaining the connection between the other of said, ports and said service line, and means for operating said valve means in either direction. 5. A kit for testing various instruments that are responsive to variations of air pressure, comprising a service line for selective connection to the instruments to be tested, said service line having a restriction therein, a pump having an inlet and an outlet, means for operating said pump, meansconnecting said inlet and said outlet to each other and to said service line including valve means having ports connected respectively to said inlet and said outlet and means for decreasing the area of either of said ports as thearea of the other of said ports is increased, manually operable means for controlling said valve means, and a gauge responsive to the pressure in said service line and having indicia defining the ranges of pressures that maybe safely applied to each of said instruments respectively.

6.'A kit for testing various instruments that are responsive to variations of air pressure, comprising a plurality of instruments corresponding respectively with the instruments to be tested, a service line for selective connection to .the instruments to be tested and having a branch for selective connection to the instruments of said kit, said service line having a restriction therein to reduce the rate of flow to or from any of such instruments, a pump having an inlet and an outlet, means for operating said pump, valve means connecting said inlet andsaid outlet to each other and to said service line through restricting ports, said valve means being effective to simultaneously increase the area of the port from the pump outlet and decrease the area of the port from the pump inlet and vice versa, and means for manually controlling said valve means.

7. A portable kit for testing various instruments that are responsive to variations of air pressure, comprisingta plurality of instruments corresponding respectively with the instruments to be tested, a service line having a branch for selective connection with an instrument of .the kit and a branch for selective connection with the corresponding instrument to be tested,,said service line having a restriction therein, a pump hav ing an inletand an outlet, means for operating said pump, valve means connecting said inlet and outlet simultaneously to said service line through continuously and oppositely variable restricting ports, means for controlling said valve means, and a gauge connected to said service line and indicating when the pressure in said service line is within the tolerance of each of said instruments. 7

8. -A portable kit for testing various instruments that are responsive to variations of air pressure, comprising a casing, a plurality of'lnstruments mounted on said casing and corre sponding respectively with the instruments to be tested, a gauge mounted on said casing and bearing indiciaindicating the ranges of pressures that may besafely applied to each of saidinstruments respectively, and means for supplying to said gauge and any of said instruments a constant pressure of any desired'value throughout a continuous range extending materially below and above atmospheric pressure comprising a valve means mounted on said casing having a port connected to said service line and pressure;

control ports connected respectively to said inlet and said outlet of said pump, and manually: operable means for operating said valve means to simultaneously increase the area of one of said pressure-control ports and decrease the area. of the other of said ports.

WILLIAllI HJJORDAN. 

